We learned yesterday that Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin suffered a hairline fracture in his left foot while blocking a shot in Game 6 of Washington’s first-round series with the New York Rangers.

If you’re curious about the specifics of the injury — or whether the Caps should have allowed an injured Ovechkin to represent Russia in the World Championships — here’s Dr. Benjamin Shaffer, the team’s physician, providing an update for CSN Washington:

So it sounds like there was no significant risk in letting him play.

According to Shaffer, Ovechkin will be “immobilized” and wearing a fracture boot for a period of four weeks.

There is a difference between excuse and reason. This might be the reason why Ovechkin wasn’t all that great in game seven, but no one has used it as an excuse. Ovechkin never said anything about it after they lost, and it doesn’t explain his scoring problems in games three four or five. Its simply just a fact that he was injured for part of game six and game seven.

We keep hearing about it not because its being used as an excuse, but becuase people were a bit curious as to why he was allowed to play for Russia with a fracture in his foot. Now we know.

fbothharbaughs - May 17, 2013 at 4:26 PM

No, the reason we keep hearing about it is ’cause the team needs to provide an explanation as to why he annually chokes in the playoffs.

I find it hard to believe one can lead their team in hits if they’ve got a busted foot which prevents one from scoring goals, which is what he’s paid 13+ mil a year to do.